The Kansas Republican Party finally responded to questions about the email they sent out on Friday which gloated about their use of illegal voter suppression techniques. Unfortunately, we don't get to hear anything from the man who sent the email, KSGOP Chairman Kris Kobach. Instead we have to settle for this explanation from Executive Director Christian Morgan:

“It’s just a term of art,” Morgan said of caging voters.

'Term of art', now where have I heard that before? Somewhere... hmmm ... Oh yeah! It was here.

Caging, as Rep. Chris Cannon (R-UT) "helpfully pointed out, 'is a term of art in mailhouses' – it refers to the place where letters go when they have no address, all batched up in a separate room."

Little hint here KSGOP, when trying to cover-up your coordinated voter suppression as just another meaningless gaffe, try and avoid using language that might further implicate you. It's alright though, it's not like anyone is following this story.

"There's press here, I have to be careful. Don't tell Kobach."

This quote from Senate President Derek Schmidt (R-Hugoton) in the Wichita Eagle is quite indicative of state of affairs for the Kansas Republican Party.

What was Schmidt's crime? Having the audacity to agree with Governor Kathleen Sebelius. Didn't he get the memo? Republicans and Democrats aren't supposed to agree in Kansas.

On anything.

It is fairly apparent that Sen. Schmidt was commenting tongue - in - cheek, but even so it points out a sad reality - the Kansas Republican Party's leadership is more concerned about toeing the party line than they are about enacting sound policies that benefit the people of Kansas.

I suppose none of this should come as a shock from Kris Kobach and his Un-Republican Activities Committee.

Blue Tide Rising made an astute observation last weekend...

Last year Jim Ryun entered a classic car in the Topeka Labor Day parade and covered it in campaign magnets. Jim Ryun, however, couldn't be bothered to be on hand himself. This led one area Labor leader to publicly lament Ryun's parade entry as "an empty gesture, from an empty [House] seat."This year was different. This time he didn't even bother to send an envoy. Neither did Lynn Jenkins. Nor was Sens. Pat Roberts or Sam Brownback. In fact, the Kansas Republican Party was nowhere to be found.

Check out the rest of the story at Blue Tide Rising.